Warhead Design R&D Engineer (R&D Engineer 2/3)

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 106,400 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking an experienced Warhead Design Engineer at the R&D Engineer 2 or 3 level to contribute to the W93/Mk7 systems development. You will work with the Q-20 team across the full life cycle, performing FMEA, managing down-selection, and coordinating with DoD/NNSA stakeholders.

This role requires strong systems engineering and cross-functional leadership. Onsite in Los Alamos, NM, the position offers collaboration with national labs and industry partners, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 4 years of related experience; or equivalent.
• Master's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 6 years of related experience; PhD may be preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the full life cycle of the Warhead Subsystem development and design.
• Perform FMEA and lead technical down-selection processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet system requirements.

Skills

Systems engineering

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Technical writing/presentation

Issue identification

Adaptability

Travel readiness

Down-selection leadership

Data needs definition

Design basis capture

Physics understanding

Directing designers' work

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Master's Degree in Engineering

Tools

PTC Creo

Job description

What You Will Do

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 2 or 3 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

This is an opportunity to be part of the first new weapon system program in over 30 years. Q-20, W93/Mk7 Systems Development and Realization Group, defines, develops, and fields the warhead system for the newest Navy sub-launched ballistic missile weapon program. We support the DoD/Navy SSP and DoE/NNSA customers in defining the mission need and corresponding technical and programmatic requirements. The W93 collaborates closely with Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and Lockheed Martin Space design agencies, developing the re-entry system, ensuring safe, secure, & reliable warhead performance and a relevant nuclear deterrent. Q-20 also incorporates the production agency teams (KCNSC, Pantex, SRS, Y-12, LANL, and SNL) tightly into the design, qualification, and realization processes.

As a Warhead Design Engineer, you will work in close concert with the System Engineering Director, the W93 Qualification, Test, and Evaluation (QTE) team, Q-20 systems engineers, product realization teams, and physicists. Your responsibilities will span the full life cycle of the systems development process, supporting the design development of the Warhead Subsystem. This includes performing Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), leading and documenting technical down-selection process, supporting requirements traceability and verification (RQ-R, RQ-V), providing input to the certification plan (CQ), and collaborating with the design, drafting, and analysis teams to develop solutions that meet system requirements.

Working closely with colleagues across LANL, you will help ensure component interfaces and requirements are fully integrated across the system. The role also includes direct interaction with key stakeholders, including representatives from NNSA, the U.S. Navy, Sandia National Laboratories, and Lockheed Martin Space. In partnership with teams at Sandia National Laboratories and Lockheed Martin Space, you will contribute to the design of the re-entry system and help ensure the W93 warhead delivers safe, secure, and reliable performance in support of the nation's nuclear deterrent.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

R&D Engineer 2 $106,400 - $176,000

• Demonstrated knowledge of systems engineering principles.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Strong technical writing, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify technical issues and recommend novel engineering solutions
• Adaptable to evolving work scope and priorities
• Ability to support frequent travel for technical and programmatic interactions
• Lead technical down-selection process / Communicate W93 needs to tech mat
• Define data needs for analysis/test (contribute to CQ)
• Formally capture the design basis
• Understand and incorporate physics needs into design
• Understand and influence parent requirements for component
• Direct designers' technical work

R&D Engineer 3 $128,00 - $215,900

In addition to the requirements listed above

• Experience leading technical teams across organizational boundaries.
• Experience developing complex system designs and negotiating interfaces
• Experience planning and executing design development activities across multiple projects and organizations.
• Experience with scoping test and analysis series in support of system validation/verification efforts

Desired Qualifications

• Proficiency with PTC CREO parametric modeling software or other CAD programs
• Knowledge of GD&T standards and practices
• Familiarity with engineering analysis
• Detailed knowledge of nuclear weapon systems and delivery vehicles
• Understanding of NNSA and DoD qualification processes
• Experience with conflict resolution
• Active Q clearance, which normally requires US citizenship

Education/Experience for R&D Engineer 2: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 4 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at R&D Engineer 3: Position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 6 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level a Ph.D. may be preferred.

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants

• For full consideration, a comprehensive cover letter addressing your qualifications against the minimum and desired skills requirements is required.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security.

Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Equal Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.